An Adrian man was sentenced Thursday to three to 10 years in prison for sexually abusing a girl after his attorney challenged a lack of evidence the victim suffered psychological trauma.

Shane R. Rodgers, 28, pleaded guilty last month to a reduced charge of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration.

“A terrible crime has been committed. A child has been robbed of her innocence and will forever be forced to deal with the imposition of sexual awareness,” said Lenawee County Circuit Judge Margaret M.S. Noe.

The entire family of the victim has been affected by abuse suffered by the victim, who was 11 years old at the time, said Noe. She ordered Rodgers not have contact with the victim or unsupervised contact with his own children.

Sentencing guidelines were improperly calculated to allow a 38-month minimum prison term, argued public defender Eric Kyser. No evidence has been placed on the court record that the victim suffered psychological injury that might require treatment, he said.

Kyser also objected to a guideline score for carrying out a pattern of criminal behavior.

Assistant Lenawee County Prosecutor Rodney Leon said a hearing could be called for the victim to testify about psychological harm.

There is no dispute, Leon said, that there was ongoing abuse of the victim over a period of time rather than the single event he was charged with committing on July 27.

Noe ruled no hearing is needed.

“There’s absolutely no way an 11-year-old can be prepared,” she said, to deal with sexual abuse. The victim will need treatment “for obstacles that are apparent and obvious,” she said.

The victim also clearly described a series of crimes Rodgers committed against her in Ohio and later in Michigan, Noe said.

“It’s clear Mr. Rodgers’ behavior was a pattern,” she said.

Kyser asked that he be sentenced to the 19-month minimum prison term allowed by the guidelines.

Leon argued for the 38-month maximum.

Rodgers has already received the benefits of a plea reduction, he said, and his prior criminal record was not used to enhance his sentence. Rodgers has proven himself to be a “menace to society,” Leon told the court.